Our Correspondent
Diphu , Jan. 5 (EMN): Karbi bodies comprising the Karbi Youth Organization (KYO) and the United Lumbajong Development Committee (ULDC) have submitted a memorandum to Karbi Anglong’s Deputy Commissioner Adil Khan on Jan. 4, Thur. requesting to take immediate action against the menace of illegal mining and smuggling of coal in various parts of Karbi Anglong.
The organisation mentioned in the memorandum that mining and smuggling of coal was being continuously going on in different parts of Karbi Anglong including Langmili, Koilamati, Disama and Klurdung.
The organisations in the memorandum expressed dismay on the affects of coal mining. ‘We are aware that coal mining causes deforestation and releases toxic amount mineral and heavy metals into the soil and water. The effects of mining coal persist for years after the coal is removed. Strip mining which is also known as open cast, mountain top or surface mining is mostly done by illegal miners or smugglers in our district. Strip mining involves scraping away earth and rocks to get coal buried near the surface. It also destroys landscapes, forest and wildlife habitats and also causes soil erosion, increased risk of chemical contamination of ground water among other side effects,” the release added.
The press statement was issued by KYO General Secretary Se-im Teron and ULDC Secretary Mongalsing Timung. The Karbi bodies also appealed the people who are involved in an illegal mining to stop their illegal activities in Karbi Anglong.
The KYO leader told Eastern Mirror that the bodies will soon approach the governor of Assam concerning the menace illegal mining of coal in the district and to the Minister of mining, Government of India to stop the illegal mining in the region.
Protesting the illegal mining they are said to have pasted some posters in various places of Karbi Anglong while also appealing to the authorities to immediately stop the illegal mining, he added.
